Manchester City defender Josko Gvardiol has hailed new manager Enzo Maresca as a "perfect one" for the club. Maresca has taken the reins from the legendary Pep Guardiola, who departed at the end of last season after a trophy-laden 10 years.
The Italian, 46, signed a three-year deal to succeed Guardiola. He previously guided Leicester to the Championship title and won the Club World Cup with Chelsea. Maresca's tenure began with a friendly defeat on penalties to Inter Milan in Hong Kong on Saturday.
Gvardiol, who recently extended his contract with City for another five years, acknowledged the challenge but expressed confidence in Maresca. "The level is that high and he has been chosen with reason as the manager," Gvardiol stated, adding, "I think he has a quality, has some new ideas and also we need to see what we are going to do [with] the style of [play], the football we are going to play and the tactics."
The defender also reflected on Guardiola's departure, noting that players could sense his exit was coming. Gvardiol missed five months of last season due to a broken bone in his right leg, returning to play twice in May.
Regarding the club's leadership, Gvardiol indicated that Ruben Dias is likely to be a key figure, potentially taking on the captaincy following Bernardo Silva's move to Real Madrid and John Stones' transfer to Inter.